The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) [Hardcover]

Michael Hoskin (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Illustrated Histories | Publication Date: January 13, 1997

Expertly written and lavishly illustrated, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy offers a unique account of astronomical theory and practice from antiquity to the present day. How did Moslems of the Middle Ages use astronomy to calculate the direction of Mecca from far-flung corners of the Islamic world? Who was the only ancient Greek to suspect that the earth might revolve around the sun? How did Christopher Columbus abuse his knowledge of a lunar eclipse predicted by an astronomical almanac? Packed with anecdotes and intriguing detail, this book describes how we observed the sky and interpreted what we saw at different periods of history; how this influenced our beliefs and mythology; and how great astronomers contributed to what we now know. The result is a lively and highly visual history of astronomy - a compelling read for specialists and non-specialists alike.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following the steps of human reasoning and technology from prehistoric stone observatories to modern astrophysics, the reader of this inviting volume receives an excellent overview of the development of astronomy as science. Edited by Hoskin, the editor of Journal for the History of Astronomy, the book is a concise yet compelling record of human intellectual progress embracing Mayan, Babylonian, Greek, Islamic, and medieval Latin astronomy and leading up to the arrival of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. Their influence provided the needed change in approach from geometry to physics and forced long-delayed acceptance of the elliptical orbits of planets, a sun-centered system, and an earth that moved within it. Besides significant figures and places, the book acknowledges historical and cultural forces at work in its story, while inserts explore other worthy tidbits such as the rather remarkable devices in use before the invention of the telescope. Highly recommended for public libraries. [See also the equally excellent but more expensive History of Astronomy: An Encyclopedia, LJ 1/15/97.?Ed.]?Patrick Dunn, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson Cit.
-?Patrick Dunn, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'... has the weight of authority you would expect from a combination of Cambridge University Press and an author who was formerly head of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science in Cambridge. Everything from Stonehenge to the Hubble Space Telescope, with potted biographies as well as great ideas, good illustrations, a useful glossary and a chronology.' Good Book Guide

'The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy is a book that professional as well as amateur historians of science should have on their bookshelves ... beautifully illustrated ... You will find yourself sitting down to glance at this book and end up reading late into the night ... well written and a wonderful source of information.' Raymond F. Haynes, Metascience

'... a hardbound book of such size and attractiveness for £25 is remarkable value ... a volume that historians, librarians and enthusiasts will want to have within easy reach for many years to come.' P. D. Hingley, Astronomy and Geophysics

'... the best account of the history of astronomy in one volume to date.' Albert van Helden, Journal for the History of Astronomy

'The illustrations (both colour and black and white) are not only beautifully reproduced, but opportunity has been taken to use some which have never or rarely been seen before ... This is a book that has been produced at a price that is very reasonable, and I would recommend it to all who have an interest in the history of astronomy.' A. J. Kinder, Journal of the British Astronomical Association

'... well written and a wonderful source of information.' AAHPSSS

'... a most useful and enjoyable book, published at what is, by present-day standards, a very reasonable price. Strongly recommended.' Sir Patrick Moore, Modern Astronomer

'... excellent book.' Martin Ince, The Times Higher Education Supplement

'... beautifully produced, sumptuously illustrated, well organised and accessible.' Allan Chapman, Astronomy Now

'This is a lavishly illustrated and well produced account of astronomical theory and practice from earliest times to the present day.' Aslib Book Guide

'Reading this excellent book will give everyone an understanding of how great scientists work and how their work has produced great astronomy.' Paul Murdin, Endeavour

'... this is a fine volume which treats its topics thoroughly and fills a niche in the current historical literature in astronomy. Considering some of the prices charged now for such books this can be regarded as a bargain and comes highly recommended.' Robert Argyle, The Observatory

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521411580
• ISBN-13: 978-0521411585
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,075,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and illustrated, June 11, 2000

By 

Jay Strader (Durham, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

This is the single best history of astronomy I've ever encountered. Not only is the narrative interesting, the pictures--from William Herschel's journal pages describing his discovery of Uranus to full-page illuminations of the Cartesian cosmology--enhance the experience even more than one might expect. At less than ( ), this book is a must for any astronomy buff.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive coverage of the history of astronomy, March 29, 2000

By 

Gary Thomas - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

An excellent survey with both breadth and depth, covering non-European astronomy (for example the Dresden Codex - a Mayan calendar), the difficulties of the Geo-centric model, the development of the telescope, modern astrophysics, up to the Hubble Space Telescope. Includes a great many sidebars with much peripheral information (I did not know that Herschel was an organist by trade).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Finer History of Astronomy Available, April 1, 2007

By 

Steve Ruskin (Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cambridge Illustrated History of Astronomy (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) (Hardcover)

Like other works in this series, the Cambridge 'Illustrated History of Astronomy' is both a useful reference work and a visually entertaining table-top book. Combined, those two elements make for an excellent history of the science of astronomy.

The scholarship is top-notch: Michael Hoskin is the editor and a contributor, and other contributors include J.A. Bennett, Owen Gingerich, Clive Ruggles, Christopher Cullen and David Dewhirst--superb scholars all. They cover the history of astronomy from prehistory, through the invention of the telescope and the scientific revolution, to the rise of astrophysics and beyond. Astronomy in non-western cultures (China, India, Islam) is also covered, and makes a welcome addition to the traditional Euro-centric story.

But the illustrations (many in color) really make the book: pictures, graphs, sidebars, frontispieces, manuscript pages, newspaper clippings, paintings, etc. enhance the written portion and make it that much more informative.

In sum, this may be the most useful and enjoyable book on the history of astronomy in print.